Fourth Street renamed to Vel Phillips Avenue

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The life and legacy of a civil rights pioneer was celebrated in downtown Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Fourth Street, from St. Paul to Capitol Drive is now known as Vel R. Phillips Avenue. The nearly five-mile stretch was renamed in her honor. The street passes through residential areas and businesses including Fiserv Forum.

"You get to see and really the life of Vel Phillips, she impacted so many from so many levels. So the street and all those companies and residents who get to change their address is really a reflection of what she impacted while she was living," said 6th District Ald. Milele Coggs.

Phillips died n April at the age of 95. She was the first African-American on the Milwaukee Common Council, judge, and the first African-American female Secretary of State in Wisconsin.